The Australian electric vehicle market is quickly becoming more accessible, as Chinese carmaker BYD has submerged the cost of its entry-level electric vehicle, the BYD Dolphin, below the AU$30,000,000 mark.
The new BYD Dolphin Essential is the latest version of the BYD Dolphin, which was, for a while, the cheapest electric vehicle you could buy in Australia before similar price cuts from its competitors.
To get an even lower price than the Dynamic – the Dolphin variant that was previously BYD’s cheapest option – the company removed some features. The panoramic glass roof, power folding mirrors, wireless phone charger, heated front seats, privacy glass and phone button functionality have all been removed. The WLTP range of 340 km remains, however, as does the DC charging capacity of 60 kW.
Similarly, BYD also introduced an Essential variant of its popular Atto 3 electric SUV, which is now the cheapest option in its class. Its features have also been reduced to help it reach a price of AU$39,990.
The new BYD models are just the latest developments in an ongoing (and extremely competitive) electric vehicle price war. In late 2024, MG dropped the price of its entry-level model, the MG4 Excite 51, to AU$30,990 drive-away as part of a limited-time offer, a deal it has since ended. Nissan, Cupra, GWM and other electric car makers have also adjusted their prices over the past year to try to attract more sales.
Is it finally time to go electric?
Keep in mind that the Dolphin’s AU$30,000 price tag is before on-road costs, so you’ll pay more than AU$30,000 to get the car road registered. Yet at this price point, it now competes directly with petrol alternatives like the Toyota Corolla (from AU$29,270) and other reasonably priced cars like the Hyundai i30 (from AU$32,935). AU$) and the Kia Cerato (AU$27,060). This places the BYD Dolphin as a real rival to some of Australia’s most popular small cars. Combined with government help for financing electric loans, if you’ve been considering going electric but have been hesitant about the price, it’s certainly worth thinking about as your next car.
For someone who spent some time with the original BYD Dolphin, it’s a perfectly fine car for the price and it includes a terrific Android-based operating system. Among the features removed by BYD, unfortunately it seems they left behind my favorite trick, the 360 camera which allows you to view the car through the center console from all sides as if you were looking at it – perfect for creating narrow parks.
It’s also worth clearly noting that it’s quite small and, if you’re planning to take it on a road trip, be aware that it has a fairly slow DC public charging speed – meaning stopping at charging stops public will be longer than with, say. , the more expensive MG4 Excite 64.
If you want to evaluate similar options, the MG4 is also worth looking into, as is the GWM Ora if you want more interesting styling.
The BYD Dolphin Essential is expected to go on sale on January 13, alongside the BYD Atto 3 Essential.
